With The Capitol Groove 2025 fast approaching, festival organizers have expanded the experience with a new stage spotlighting up-and-coming artists, plus additional food, craft, and clothing vendors. The second-annual festival will return to Hartford’s Bushnell Park in the shadow of the Connecticut State Capitol on June 28th and 29th with a lineup led by Khruangbin, Bleachers, Thundercat, and Cake.
This year’s festival will see the debut of The Telefunken Stage, presented by festival sponsor and prolific microphone company Telefunken Elektroakustik, founded in 1903. The stage will offer festivalgoers an intimate setting to catch seven rising artists throughout the weekend, including One Time Weekend, Dwayne Keith Project, Dom McLennon (Brockhampton) with Cheem, Alessia-Nicole, and more. Scroll to the bottom of the article for the full Telefunken Stage schedule.
The Capitol Groove will also present culinary options from throughout the state and the region. Local Connecticut vendors Dumpling Co., Little Pub, Taste House Food Truck, Flavors, and Los Mariachis on Wheels will all be on-site, with additional options from East Coast purveyors Lumpia Bros. (Massachusetts), Get Baked Food Trolley (Maryland), The Broccoli Bar (Vermont), Smoketown BBQ (New York City), and many more.
Lastly, festival organizers detailed the lineup of craft and clothing vendors coming to the festival. Furthering the event’s commitment to celebrating regional talent and artistry, The Capitol Groove will host nature-inspired art and goods from Cloth and Clover Co., hemp apparel from Sunny Life Hats, handmade ceramics from Potson, vibrant sunglasses from See Happy Glasses, and zodiac-themed decor and novelties from Dream of the Stars.
All of these expanded offerings underscore The Capitol Groove’s mission of providing a comprehensive experience of art and community. With the main stage, Telefunken Stage, food truck row, and vendor village, the festival promises plenty to discover over two full days.
In addition to the headliners, The Capitol Groove will host performances from reggae legends Steel Pulse, R&B/soul trio Thee Sacred Souls, soul-pop favorites Sammy Rae & The Friends, Boston alt-pop outfit Ripe, Alabama Southern soul eight-piece St. Paul & The Broken Bones, eclectic singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito, and many more. Scroll down to see the full lineup by day.
Tickets for The Capitol Groove are on sale here. Two-day VIP tickets are sold out, but single-day and two-day GA and single-day VIP tickets are still available. VIP tickets include access to an elevated viewing area for the main stage, a VIP lounge, air-conditioned restrooms, a premium bar with drinks for purchase and dedicated food purveyors, a private shaded area, and more. Find full ticketing details on the festival’s website.
